Fabrizius, Hudson, Karnopp win at Norton
By Mike Hughes

NORTON, KS (April 21)—After a rainout on April 7, racing action returned to Elmwood Park Speedway in Norton, KS, Saturday evening, April 21.

Colby’s John Fabrizius won the 20-lap IMCA Modified main event, but it was anything but easy. Fabrizius chased Doug Shearer of Hays the first half of the race with David Murray, Marty Clark and Brian Calhoon close behind. But Fabrizius took advantage of a lap 11 restart and stuck to the high side in turn 2 to get around Shearer and take the lead. By lap 14, Murray worked his way into the runner-up spot and set his sights on Fabrizius, but Fabrizius was up to the task and held off heat 2 winner Murray for the win. Corey Lagroon finished third, followed by Shearer and Jason Schoenberger. Fabrizius and Calhoon also won heat races.

‘The Hammer’ Josh Hudson of Kensington took command on lap 8 of the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car feature from heat 2 victor Caleb Peters and led the remaining distance for the win. Hudson, Peters, Cory Struckhoff and Jason Davis had pulled away from the field, however Davis had a motor let go on lap 19, setting up a green-white-checkered finish. Heat one winner Hudson then held off Peters, Struckhoff, Jason McCartney and Dan Lauer at the finish line for the victory.

Hometown driver Kelly Karnopp led the opening lap of the IMCA Hobby Stock feature, but gave way on the following lap to B.J. Dauer. But Dauer blew a tire on lap 8 to bring out a caution, giving Karnopp the top spot back, trailed by Jerry Hudson and Dustin McClurg. Karnopp led the remaining 5 laps for the win, with Hudson, McClurg, Dauer (who changed a tire under caution and lined back up at the tail of the pack on the restart) and Deric Funk rounding out the top five. Heat race winners were Hudson and Dauer.

Alex Loveless of Lincoln won his second 4-cylinder Young Gun main event at Norton, followed by Tyrel Smith, Loyd Schoen and Levi Kiser. Loveless also won the heat race.

Jim Carter & Ron Watson of Russell won the cruiser heat race, then led from green to checkered in the main event. John Annon & Jeff Soderland finished second.

Racing returns to the ½-mile oval this Saturday, April 28. Race time is 6:00 p.m.



RESULTS

IMCA Hobby Stocks
Heat 1: 1. Jerry Hudson, 2. Dustin McClurg, 3. Tim Horn.

Heat 2: 1. B.J. Dauer, 2. Kelly Karnopp, 3. Deric Funk, 4. Frank McClurg.

Feature: 1. Karnopp, 2. Hudson, 3. D. McClurg, 4. Dauer, 5. Funk, 6. Phil Hinger, 7. Horn, 8. F. McClurg, 9. Laura Hinger, 10. Matt Christensen (DNF), 11. Gene Sneath (DNS).

IMCA Stock Cars
Heat 1: 1. Josh Hudson, 2. Jason Davis, 3. Jay Hachmeister, 4. Jason McCartney.

Heat 2: 1. Caleb Peters, 2. Cory Struckhoff, 3. Kent Lower, 4. Bob Rutherford.

Feature: 1. Hudson, 2. Peters, 3. Struckhoff, 4. McCartney, 5. Dan Lauer, 6. Michael Zajic, 7. Rutherford, 8. Davis (DNF), 9. Lower, 10. Hachmeister, 11. Jesse Taylor (DNF), 12. John Huffman (DNS).

IMCA Modifieds
Heat 1: 1. John Fabrizius, 2. Jeremy Frenier, 3. Brandon Blochlinger, 4. Matt Fabrizius.

Heat 2: 1. David Murray Jr., 2. Jason Schoenberger, 3. Barry Maupin, 4. Mike Petersilie.

Heat 3: 1. Brian Calhoon, 2. Corey Lagroon, 3. Doug Shearer, 4. Marty Clark.

Feature: 1. J. Fabrizius, 2. Murray, 3. Lagroon, 4. Shearer, 5. Schoenberger, 6. Clark, 7. M. Fabrizius, 8. Mitch Kline, 9. Tim Watts, 10. Wes O’Bannon, 11. J.R. McCreery, 12. Frenier, 13. Mark Zorn, 14. Don Hagan, 15. Rick Schwab, 16. Calhoon (DNF), 17. Blochlinger (DNF), 18. Maupin (DNF), 19. Jim Bell (DNF), 20. Petersilie (DNF), 21. Hunter Hembree (DNS), 22. Gary Kline (DNS).

4-cylinder Young Guns

Heat: 1. Alex Loveless, 2. Tyrel Smith, 3. Loyd Schoen, 4. Levi Kiser.

Feature: 1. Loveless, 2. Smith, 3. Schoen, 4. Kiser.

Cruisers
Heat: 1. Jim Carter/Ron Watson, 2. John Annon/Jeff Soderland.

Feature: 1. Carter/Watson, 2. Annon/Soderland.